Granular – containing granules of keratohyalin that help bind keratin together

Clear – only found covering some parts of the body that need thicker skin, such as the soles of the feet

Horny – top layer of skin with dying cells filling with keratin protein and waterproofing the skin’s surface before sloughing off and being replaced

The epidermis is also characterised by an absence of blood or lymphatic vessels.

DERMIS

The inner layer of the skin has three thick and tough divisions, largely formed of elastin and collagen fibres. This is the thicker and deeper part of the skin.

The dermis comprises:

Blood vessels supplying the skin’s glands, muscles and other structures

Insulating and energy providing subcutaneous fat cells

Hair follicles that puncture the skin and offer insulation and protection

Sebaceous glands, which produce sebum to moisturise and protect the skin

Lymphatic vessels that assist in the movement of lymph around the body

Sensory nerve endings, which allow us to recognise warmth and cold, touch, pain and pressure

Sweat glands, comprising eccrine glands rising from the dermis to the skin surface, and apocrine glands, which secrete a thicker and stickier discharge from areas such as the armpits and genitals

SUB-DERMIS

‘Sub’ means under. In this case the sub-dermis is the bottom layer of the skin. It is primarily a fine layer of subcutaneous tissue (fat) under the epidermis / dermis that provides insulation, protection and energy.

THE FUNCTION OF THE SKIN

It’s easy to take for granted the protection provided by the skin, which includes the following:

Temperature regulation through sweating and the vasodilation or vasoconstriction of superficial vessels, depending on whether we need to keep warm or cool down

Protection from harmful effects of the sun and UV radiation, through the production of vitamin D and melanin

Shielding the body from injury and infection

Lubrication and protection from the secretion of sebum

As the largest and the outermost organ of the body, the skin also provides mechanical support for the body, prevents the loss of body fluids and is able to detect changes in temperature, pressure, touch and pain.

The protection provided by the skin can vary depending on age, with babies and children more at risk. Hydrated skin provides less protection than dry skin, and damaged skin is also more vulnerable to penetration by outside substances.

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